A single fruit can keep a warrior strong and healthy...
The creation of Tirmutua is credited to Witheren, Goddess of Righteous War, but many of its more beneficial aspects are attributed to Ritho, Goddess of the Home and Hearth. During the City-Strife, Faithful witnessed her aproach a tree and tap it, asking it to grow fruit. It did, producing the first chorinae, a divine super-fruit like no other before. With the majority of the lonesteads in ruins and food supplies rapidly dwindling, the fruit became a life-saver for the struggling Faithful. With a single bite as a meal unto itself, the nutritous gift helped turn the tide of battle. Because its plump round form resembles the radiant sun which is Ritho's symbol, it is viewed as distinctly her creation and a divine gift.
Summary
Something of a follow-up to the Greedy Farmer tale, Ritho saw the garden Witheren created and thought she could add to it. While Tirmutua offered much-needed shelter and fresh water to the Faithful, they had to scrounge for what nuts and berries they could find of the plants growing there. Witheren intended the garden to be a monument and a lesson to those who would dare her ire. Ritho reasoned that the warriors she championed so much would need strength which with to fight and used her divine power to bring such a thing into being.
Historical Basis
The City-Strife is recorded as a terribly violent civil war which encompassed the entirety of Bainshaebo, seeing the fall of Raaezen and the Traedeskaton, the large-scale plundering of the lonesteads and innumerable atrocities committed by the Vulgar Tyrants led by Yapign and his sons. Although brief by Oldworlder standards, the conflict tore the city apart only being resolved at the Bloody Bricks.
When Ritho and her followers fled the Traedeskaton, the majority of the medical staff set up triage tents in Mazzan, but a handful followed alongside the young goddess, who oversaw civilians taking shelter in Tirmutua.
Events of Aftermath
In Chapter 11. "Eurbasadur", Chi Chi Lina, Azuro tries to explain the history behind Tirmutua and the miraculous fruit but his tale-spinning largely goes in one ear and out the others as the guys ponder their newly-conferred celebrity status by the Thangiens.
Ritho, Goddess of the Home, Hearth, and Family by Mardrena
Spread
Because chorinae trees are exclusive to Tirmutua, few outside the immediate area of Bainshaebo and the Lonesteads know of it. Freelanders do revere Ritho but this particular tale attributed to her sees very little circulation.
Variations & Mutation
Despite eyewitness testimony there is debate whether Ritho caused the fruit to bloom from an existing tree, converted another variety of tree into a chorinae tree entirely, or caused the tree to sprout from the ground up from sapling to mature in seconds. It is even claimed the leaves look like spreading hands as if to represent the goddess herself offering the fruit to the Faithful.
Although the miracle was recorded millennia ago, Oldworlders cite parallels between Ritho's Bounty and an Oldworlder parable where the King of Man asked a tree to grow fruit and it refused, and in a fit of anger he cursed it to wither and die.
Cultural Reception
Thangiens view the fruit as truly divine, and not just in taste. Oldworlders who hear the tale usually dismiss it as creative embellishment or shrug absently at the notion.
In Literature
The fruit itself and its byproduct vouwynn are frequently mentioned in numerous tales, but very little creative liberties are taken when it comes to the actual creation. Some childrens' books portray the event and there are passages in the Geodolpha chronicling the miracle.
In Art
Artists constantly find newer and creative ways to portray something so simple as an innocuous-looking round fruit. It is not depicted in Ritho's window in Thananagreia nor any of Raaezen's story windows, but smaller renditions are made in stained glass or tapestries in either homes or commercial establishments in the Pavilion.
While Azuro continued to explain the story behind the majestic garden, Cye noticed a pile of peeled rinds lying on the ground at Kento's feet. "Umm…Kento…how much of those have you eaten?" he queried. "Four," Kento replied lazily as he swallowed a peeled fruit whole. Cye's jaw dropped.
Date of First Recording
5000 years ago (3000 B.C. Earth-Time)
Date of Setting
5000 years ago (3000 B.C. Earth-Time)
Kento had peeled off the top rind of the chorinae and licked and sucked at the pulp blissfully, insuring not a drop of juice escaped. Cye leaned back and wrinkled his face, appalled by his friend's manners.
All artwork used is self-made and belongs to me unless otherwise stated, such as kitbashes and commissions. Age of Defiance does not and will not use or feature RW/YST original artwork out of consideration for the OAS creators
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